The number of Spanish-speaking patients in hospitals is increasing, in Northern Nevada and across the nation. The number of bilingual healthcare providers and researchers, however, remains troublingly low. What can we do to make the STEM-healthcare workforce better reflect the diversity of our communities?
At this installment of Science Distilled, consider with our speakers why building a diverse STEM-healthcare workforce matters and how to put this inquiry into action. Faculty, students, and staff in the University of Nevada, Reno’s Community of Bilingual English-Spanish Speakers (CBESS) program will share how they’re working to frame linguistic diversity as an asset for students pursuing STEM and healthcare careers. By positioning bilingual high school students as insiders and tapping into their unique skills and experiences, this program is working to both cultivate a strong STEM-healthcare workforce and improve healthcare for all of us.
